Last Twilight in Paris by Pam Jenoff

 

Book Except:

"London, 1953. Louise is still adjusting to her postwar role as a housewife when she discovers a necklace in a box at a secondhand shop. The box is marked with the name of a department store in Paris, and she is confident she had seen the necklace before when she worked with the Red Cross in Nazi-occupied Europe — and that it holds the key to the mysterious death of her friend Franny during the war.

Following the trail of clues to Paris, Louise seeks help from her former boss, Ian, with whom she shares a romantic history. The necklace leads them to discover the dark history of Lévitan — a once-glamorous department store that served as a Nazi prison — and Helaine, a woman who was imprisoned there, torn apart from her husband when the Germans invaded France.

Louise races to find the connection between the necklace, the department store, and Franny's death. But nothing is as it seems, and forces are determined to keep the truth buried forever. Inspired by the true story of Lévitan, Last Twilight in Paris is both a gripping mystery and an unforgettable story about sacrifice, resistance, and the power of love to transcend in even the darkest hours."

Title:  Last Twilight in Paris

Author:  Pam Jenoff

Publisher:  Harlequin Trade Publishing | Park Row

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Four

Review:

'Last Twilight in Paris' by Pam Jenoff

My Insight:

'Last Twilight' is a unique story set during WWII. It was co-authored by two and provides readers with an engaging novel. 

The narratives of Louise, Joe, Gabriel, and Helaine are particularly captivating. While the story addresses various horrors of war, it also weaves in elements of romance. Overall, the reader experiences a blend of history and storytelling that includes unexpected twists and turns and themes of hope, love, and betrayal, all of which keep the reader turning the pages until the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance reading of your book.

A Rebel Bride's True Love: A Historical Western Romance Novel by Lorelei Brogan

 Book Excerpt:

"In the heart of the Wild West, Eleanor Powell seeks a new beginning in Silver Pines, escaping a betrothal to a cruel man. Yet, upon arriving, she discovers her intended husband imprisoned under mysterious circumstances, derailing her hopes. In this bewildering moment, she meets Brayden, a cowboy with a shadowy past, who reluctantly becomes her guide. Amidst the uncertainty, Eleanor faces a crucial question:

Is she ready to open her heart in a town that seems to be filled with secrets?

Brayden, a man of the land with secrets as deep as the mines of Silver Pines, finds himself unexpectedly entwined with Eleanor's fate. His past, intertwined with the injustices ensnared her intended, casts long shadows over their budding relationship. As Brayden navigates his tumultuous feelings and the precarious balance between duty and desire, he's left pondering a daunting future:

Will he risk everything to protect Eleanor from the town's dark underbelly?

As Eleanor and Brayden navigate the tangled webs of Silver Pines, their bond deepens amidst the whispers of hidden truths. Every step closer to uncovering the town's mysteries, they find themselves intertwined in a delicate dance of trust and betrayal. Yet, as they confront the shadows of their pasts and the uncertainties of their future, one question looms large; Will their love withstand the awaiting trials, or will the darkness of Silver Pines tear them apart?"

Title: A Rebel Bride's True Love
Author: Lorelei Brogan
Publisher: Regal Quill Publishing
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
'A Rebel Bride's True Love' by Lorelei Brogan

My Perception:

This author tells an engaging mail-order story centered around Eleanor and Brayden. Eleanor flees her town in the West to avoid an arranged marriage with an older wealthy man chosen by her father. Upon arrival, she discovers that her intended husband is imprisoned. Brayden comes to her aid, and the story unfolds from there with plenty of twists, turns, secrets, surprises, and strong characters. The plot concludes with an extended epilogue that ties up loose ends for Eleanor and her father, bringing the story of 'A Rebel Bride's True Love' to a satisfying close.

Following an Untamed Heart: A Historical Western Romance Book Kindle Edition by Aurora Hanson

 Book Excerpt:

"As the daughter of a Scottish trapper and a Native woman, Kanu Abey’s life is shared between two worlds. She is always in demand as a translator and as a trader of goods to the white people. When she finds an unconscious white man in the forest and brings him back to her tribe, the careful balance of her life is shattered… Kanu never expected her heart to be captured by this stranger, but she can't ignore the fact that there is something special about him. With his presence causing increasing tension, will she dare to stand up to her own tribe for a chance at love?

John Maclean’s love of adventure and riding horses has led him to the northwest, working on a wagon train. Yet his biggest adventure is about to start when he wakes up in a teepee with a Native woman caring for him and no memory of anything before this moment. His first glimpse of Kanu takes his breath away and in time he is enthralled by her kind spirit and unfaltering strength. As he recovers, he immerses himself in the ways of her tribe, and before long a yearning for love and life awakens in him… Will he be strong enough to follow his heart’s desire when echoes of his old life come chasing after him?

Kanu and John’s paths cross serendipitously and their fates take an unexpected turn that changes them forever. Caught up in a whirlwind of battles, separations, and unforeseen dangers they will need to find the courage to face the consequences of their feelings. Can they bridge the chasm between their two worlds and find a soul mate in one another, against all odds?"

"Following an Untamed Heart" is a historical western romance novel of approximately 80,000 words. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

Title: Following an Untamed Heart
Author: Aurora Hanson
Publisher: A.H.
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Following An Untamed Heart" by Aurora Hanson

My Opinion:

"Following an Untamed Heart" featuring Kanu Abey was the daughter of a Native American Indian woman and a Scottish trapper and finding an unconscious man, due to head injury, John Maclean. He was white, and Kanu brings him back to her Perce tribe [lover of horses] from the forest. While with this tribe and healing, what will happen as a relationship develops between Kanu and John? Be ready for an action, adventure, romance, thrilling, suspenseful, and captivating story of fighting rogue Indians. The army forces Indian tribes onto reservations, along with some horrible white men causing chaos. While reading this story, one will see how the story had some exciting parts...' good, bad, and ugly' that will keep one turning the pages.

The secondary characters, especially how one mother from New York, brought in an intriguing part of the story that showed just who she was and how well she fitted in this story. The extended epilogue added to the story showed 'happiness and good fortune,' giving the reader a good and inspiring ending.